Experience Incredible India and Rajasthan on this Women-only Small Group Tour, fully escorted within India by a western female tour leader with the service of local guides for various activities and sightseeing.

We take a morning flight to Udaipur. Often called the Romantic city and the Lake City, Udaipur lives up to its name with its white washed havelis ‘private mansions’ and palaces lining the banks of the charming lake Pichola. We visit the City Palace complex (one of the largest palace complexes in India) and take in a classic Rajasthani Dance show. We wander the local markets and learn how to make a sensational Indian curry. Why not try your hand at a spot of miniature painting or cruise the lake. Udaipur has on offer plenty of places to try an Ayurvedic Massage, or a Yoga class. Udaipur is a friendly and charming city just made for exploring.

We drive 3 hours to Mount Abu where we enjoy the charms of Rajasthan’s only ’Hill Station’ – a place to escape the heat of the plains. Well off the international tourist trail, Mt Abu is popular with Indian tourists and is famous for it’s remarkable Jain Temples. Some great walks and views are to be had in the hills surrounding the town.

A 3 hour drive today brings us to the small hamlet of Bhenswara where we get to spend the night like Maharanis (Queens) in a Heritage Ravla (Castle) 240 years old. We take a jeep safari to nearby villages and meet some of the local tribal people living in this remote part of South-Western Rajasthan.

Like something out of 1001 Arabian nights, Jaisalmer, the Golden City is both exotic and mysterious with a unique fort, which unlike all others in India is still lived in, and accommodates a quarter of the towns population. We wander the ancient streets of the fort and the town, visiting the intricately carved sandstone havelis (merchant’s mansions) and temples. Jaisalmer is famed for its handicrafts and there are many wonderful shops in the bazaar.

On day 9 we head out to the desert for a short camel safari to the dunes of the Thar Desert to watch the setting sun, and enjoy dinner in the desert.

Travelling on to Jodhpur and into the Thar Desert we wander the palaces of the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort before exploring the markets in the Blue city below. Famous throughout the country for its special Makhani (butter) lassi’s (yoghurt drink), Jodhpur is also where the pants come from.

We arrive today into Jaipur, the ‘Pink City’ and capital of Rajasthan. We stay in the charming Diggi Palace, which has been converted into a Heritage Hotel. Diggi Palace is home to one of Rajasthan’s royal families who still live in and manage the hotel. Amber Fort is a splendid example of Rajput/Moghal architecture and was the old capital of Rajasthan prior to 1727. We take a wander through the markets and colourful bazaars of Jaipur and visit the wondrous Jantar Mantar. You have the chance to see the splendid City Palace Museum and the Palace of the Winds. There is free time to explore some of Jaipur’s many sights, or markets. We also experience a Bollywood extravaganza here in Jaipur at the famous Raj Mandir cinema.

A 3-4 hour train ride takes us further south to Jhansi, from where we travel a short distance to Orchha. Surrounded by temples and palaces seemingly forgotten by the passage of time, Orchha is a tranquil small town situated on a sparkling river with friendly locals and a fabulous ambiance.

We arrive mid morning into Varanasi, also known as Benares and Kashi, the City of Light. After transferring to our riverside hotel, we take a walk along the Ghats (steps) on the bank of the Holy Ganges and explore the old city. Varanasi is the holiest place in India for Hindus and abounds with Saddhus and holy cows. Whilst in Varanasi, we enjoy an evening ceremonial ‘aarti’ on the riverbanks and take a dawn boat ride on the Ganges. We visit Sarnath, the site of Buddha’s first sermon and still have plenty of free time to explore the Ghats and alleyways of ancient Varanasi.

We have an afternoon flight into Delhi. Included here is a visit to Old Delhi visiting the Jama Masjid, (the largest Mosque in India), the old Delhi spice market and Chandni Chowk, the busiest marketplace in Asia. We also pay our respects to the Moghul emperor Humayan, at the spectacular tomb built by his grieving widow in the mid 16th century.

Free time to explore more of Delhi. Perhaps the Red Fort, one of the busy city Temples or the Sikh Gurudwara.